Extreme Homemakover

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I think it is better if I don't post for a while, then I have more to post about. The first weekend in Dec. We had our Chrismas Drill. Fun with the family as always but a little sad since all of the deployed soldiers were gone! We are missing 30 of our most important family members. I stayed in Charlottesville to get stuff done on Monday.

Wednesday I picked up my GSA car and then drove to give Maj. Scarbrough her makeup bag. The proceeded to drive to DC in the snow. That's right SNOW! We did a recruiting event at the basketball game. It was fun. Then I headed back down to Richmond and spent the night with Aunt Karen. Thursday I had an early dinner with Grandma, Ben, and Karen and the kids. I got back just in time for the bible study at our house.

On Friday there was black ice everywhere. I got called into the hospital to work. That night Katie and I got dressed up and went to a Christmas concert. Kristen Durand and Brian Summers sang very well.

On Saturday I went and worked for Extreme Homemakover and then went to your cousins church in Danville. Joseph and Lisa both sang very well. And it turns out their head pastor was a youth intern at my church when I was younger! On Sunday I went to church and to a Toby Keith concert.

On Monday I went back for the unveiling of the Homemakover. MOVE THAT BUS! and then I met the basketball team at Barnes and Noble to talk about plays!

On Tue I worked with the local recruiter and had lunch with Jeremy! at Olive Garden. On Tue night I stayed at the Kolbs (Nate and Kate) very late. I was talking about the army with them.

Today I bought tickets for MISS AMERICA. Yes, my friend Jill Stevens is Miss Utah. I hope she wins! I'm sure that staying busy helps a little but I think that I am just worn out and I miss Ben. Which might be worse. I am going to try to relax a little more this next week!

Vacation

So, evidently the commander posted on the FRG website that the troops are coming home 10 days after Tim's Birthday and spending a week at camp Shelby for the demob. If that's the case I will have 55 days saved up and you will have 40 days of leave saved up! Isn't that great!!!

They S1 wrote and said:
"Currently, we're tracking you as being in either of two positions. First would be as an operations officer within D Co here in Kuwait. The second is as a Platoon Leader for F Co here in Kuwait. The reason for the tentative nature of your assignment is that we may be losing an officer or two within F Co for various reasons; and by the time you arrive here in theater, that may be our most critical fill. I can fill you in on the details as the situation comes to more of a resolution on this end."

Both of these companies are in the same place and talking with one of the females, there are a lot of people from the 429th there. So I bet I'll run into some of your soldiers. I'm getting more used to the idea of being in Kuwait. I love you. Talk to you later.

Hey Baby,

Not much to post yesterday we did mounted land nav and today we did army combatives. I am really sun burned. Its finally warm again like it's supposed to be. I love the poem you wrote. It made me miss you even more. Can't wait to talk to you tonight after church. Love Ben

The Gas Chamber

Today was interesting. We had NBC classes all day long and then we went to the gas chamber. I know not very interesting. But in the middle of one of my classes an E-4 came in and got my attention. We go outside where I see one of my solders on the ground seizing. Someone else is already there giving him an IV and he is crying in pain saying his chest hurts. After a couple of minutes he passes out but is still shaking and throwing up a little bit. The ambulance had already been called. Come to find out later the guy that was treating him was a civilian RN. Thank goodness, since I'm not so sure anyone else there knew what to do. Anyway, after some investigation I find out that his chest had been hurting him last night and evidently after drinking a whole camel back worth of water he was in a lot of pain and collapsed. I talked to the RN later and he said he thought that a combination of his coffee drinking (which after talking to his buddies found out to be a pot or two at night and in the morning... not a cup or two but a pot) and sudden increase in water, he said maybe all of his potassium was flushed from his system or something like that. Anyway the doctor said he would be fine and he is going to go back to train with us tomorrow. Anyway I got to hold his head off of the cement while they were doing stuff on him waiting for the ambulance. Sorry I know its a boring story, but I though you might like it since it was medical.

We went to the gas chamber and it honestly was pretty week. All we did was walk in there, hold our breath and close our eyes while we broke the seal, resealed it and then walked out. We took it off on the way out, buy only if we wanted to. I did of course because everyone else did. Wouldn't want them to think I was a wimpy ranger :) I was hoping the video would be of me having snot all over my face but it wasn't that strong. We have land nav tomorrow. I'll give you a call later. Oh, the dress looks absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see you in it in real life! Love you!!

Same old story.

yesterday i went to church. We had interesting debate about worship. Then off to lunch with the Crabtrees, Fowlers, Summers, and Leanna (Nathan was at work). We went to Cracker Barrel. It was great fellowship. At home I took a nap and then off to work! Last night I couldn't sleep again! Today I talked to Nate and Kate Kolb about the army and then went to lunch with Becky Whitten, who is coming over to help me design T-shirts for the deployed soldiers from our unit. Then I think I will try to find a picture of our unit that atleast most of the soldiers are in to send to every soldier. I will laminate them like you laminated my picture. Today I talked to Lynnae for about 1 1/2 hours. It was fun. and I got my dress in the mail as you can see by this picture!

Sunday

Hey Baby,

I just erased the post that I just wrote... well I guess I'll start over.

The Christmas tree looks great!!! I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something not quite right.... Oh I know what it is. There isn't enough color! Maybe next year when I help we can add a little more color :).

I can't believe you made Sam dress up like a rain deer. Tell him that when I get home he can run around naked again like he likes. Sorry about my pictures looking so sad... I'm supposed to look bored, evidently my facial expressions are kind of like my tone of voice :). I'll try and take a look at the picture thing when I get a chance. Tomorrow should hopefully be kind of short like today. Instead of doing IMT and learning how to throw a grenade, we are going to go to the gas chamber. I know lots of fun and very useful.

I'm kidding about the tree of course. I looks fabulous!!! wow I actually spelled "fabulous" correctly without the spell check. The sight looks really good too. I can tell you spent a lot of time on it. Thank you. I love you and miss you.

Ben
p.s. sorry no new pictures

Thanksgiving

You couldn't have left me a picture of you smiling?

I was busy at both jobs this week. Got paid full time from both. Thanksgiving I ate with becky's fam and then went to work. Went home at 3AM on Friday for shopping! (don't worry I didn't buy anything). Then a nap in the afternoon. Barbeque for dinner, then presents with the cousins and a military uniform picture. Drove back early this morning and went to work. Then I came home dressed up Sampson like a reindeer and decorated the christmas tree and nativity scene. I am now going to bed so I can get up and go to church tomorrow! I miss you!